Problem-Solving

Linked from here are some lessons to develop problem-solving in mathematics, but teachers and learners need to ensure that solving problems isn't seen as a one-off lesson skill, but embedded in the everyday practice of doing mathematics: we learn new knowledge and skills and then find interesting and new ways to apply it.

Going off on a tangent

A short lesson designed for able year 10 pupils. The geometric context assumes learners have current attainment of approximately A-B grade (level 8), but little formal understanding of problem-solving strategy.
By offering a rich geometric context, learners are guided to be creative and generate a range of facts and relationships between lengths, angles and areas. Learners meet Polya and some of the key heuristics, hints and questions that may support them in further problem-solving.
The lesson ends with a tough geometric problem involving lengths areas and perimeter of a right triangle and incircle.